Legislation in the 115th Congress is focusing on expanding corruption of government. I mean the EPA? Are they crazy? More accidents and incidents and deaths/illnesses of Americans.

US Representative Matt Gaetz, from the panhandle in Florida, wrote a bill to abolish the EPA. Koch Industries, Inc. PAC (click here) paid him $5000.00 to do it.

A family business with an IPO wants to destroy the US EPA and there are Congressmen to do it. This is really a shame. Gaetz is new to Congress and this is what he decided is most important.

The Republicans are corrupt. They simply are.

Below is the entry on Page 3 of "Details for Candidate ID: H6FL01119; Other Committees Contributions - GAETZ, MATT" from the Federal Election Commission: 

JM FAMILY ENTERPRISES, INC. PAC		DEERFIELD BEACH	FL	33442	06/20/2016	$2,000
JOHN S FUND		EDWARDSVILLE	IL	62025	09/22/2016	$1,000
JUSTIN GABRELLE FOR CONGRESS		BROOKSVILLE	FL	34605	09/30/2016	$50
KOCH INDUSTRIES, INC. PAC		WASHINGTON	DC	20005	10/26/2016	$5,000
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. EMPLOYEE'S PAC		ARLINGTON	VA	22202	08/13/2016	$5,000
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. EMPLOYEE'S PAC		ARLINGTON	VA	22202	10/13/2016	$5,000
LUKE MESSER FOR CONGRESS

After all the problems caused in the petroleum industry one would expect government to help to prevent such problems again.

June 29, 2016

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (click here) announced its adoption of rules which will require resource extraction issuers to disclose payments that are not de minimis made to governments for the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals.

This includes payments made to the United States federal government as well as foreign governments.  The disclosures will appear in Form SD, which will be required to be filed annually within 150 days of the issuer’s fiscal year end beginning with fiscal years ending after September 30, 2018.

“We are adopting Rule 13q-1 and an amendment to Form SD to implement Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act relating to the disclosure of payments by resource extraction issuers,” the SEC memo states....

The Republicans have decided the free market system (the system that crashes everything) is better than obtaining information and GOVERNING.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, (click here) United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”.

The SEC is a long standing agency to protect Americans from the ravages of Wall Street. It was developed by the USA government and became a lawful organization in 1934.

It is the responsibility of the Commission to: 

• interpret and enforce federal securities laws;
• issue new rules and amend existing rules;
• oversee the inspection of securities firms, brokers, investment advisers, and ratings agencies;
• oversee private regulatory organizations in the securities, accounting, and auditing fields; and
• coordinate U.S. securities regulation with federal, state, and foreign authorities.

Congress has the right of a joint resolution under the law. This is a crony effort by Congress and the US Senate already has it's own bill. The interruption of Congress in the smooth governance of the SEC will result in unstable economic conditions in the USA.

Hubris is not governance and corruption is corruption.

January 24, 2017
By Ben Grossman-Cohen

Breaking news today (click here) from the House of Representatives is that Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI) is gathering support from his fellow Republicans to gut one of the signature bi-partisan anti-corruption laws passed in the last 8 years.

Huizenga plans to introduce a bill today that will roll-back the anti-corruption rule known as “Section 1504,” which requires oil and mining companies to publish the payments they make to governments around the world. This transparency measure was passed to ensure people in poor countries can follow the money and to break the “resource curse”, which has plagued poor countries like Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and more. It’s one of the most important anti-corruption/anti-poverty laws that Congress has passed in recent years and was spearheaded by Republican Senator Richard Lugar and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin.

So why is Rep. Huizenga trying to make it easier to engage in corruption in poor countries? Could the $46,050 he’s received from oil and gas interests be one reason? One week into the new Trump administration, is this really Congress’ top priority?...

There is ALWAYS only one thing on the mind of Republicans, "How can we cheat?" It is their stock and trade. They cannot deny it and here is more of it. Rep. Bill Huizenga has two bills now that promote corruption and one overrides the governance of the SEC.

The 20,000 DOW will not last. Wall Street is not self-governing.

People who sell and trade securities – brokers, dealers, and exchanges – must treat investors fairly and honestly, putting investors' interests first.

The reason the SEC was organized and passed into law by Congress was due to the Great Depression. It was legislated to protect the US economy and stabilize it. To allow this level of corruption to exist is simply wrong. The people of the USA don't understand the intricacies of governing and it shows.

Both these measures passed the same day.

Providing for consideration (click here) of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 41) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 40) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.

Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 41) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to “Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers”. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived. The joint resolution shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the joint resolution are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services; and (2) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 40) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived. The joint resolution shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the joint resolution are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit.

January 31, 2017
By Emily Schultheis

...The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (click here) said Monday that even just during the 120-day period covered by the travel ban, approximately 20,000 refugees might have otherwise settled in the U.S. Those figures are based on monthly averages over the last 15 years.

“Refugees are anxious, confused and heartbroken at this suspension in what is already a lengthy process,” the UN’s statement read, noting that High Commissioner Filippo Grandi is “deeply worried” by the “uncertainty” now facing these refugees....

Another Trump backlash.

Unfortunately, all the major powers in the world never ratified "The UN Small Arms Treaty" (click here). So, this increase in violence can be backed by Russia. The United Nations needs to address those concerns. Russia's involvement in Ukraine and this increase in violence is a clear indication Russia has no plans for peace with Trump or otherwise. When realizing the propaganda produced by Russia and China since the Ultra White Trump administration took office there is a clear indication of burgeoning war. Kindly remember Russia stated it was the White Supremacists killed at the Maidan.

I don't trust Trump, Russia or China. Things are not as they appear.

31 January 2017

Amid outburst of violence in Ukraine, (click here) the United Nations Security Council and the top humanitarian official there expressed grave concern today about the “dangerous deterioration” of the situation in the country’s eastern region and its severe impact on the local civilian population.

In a press statement, Council members condemned the use of weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements along the contact line in Donetsk region that lead to deaths and injuries, including among civilians.

The members of the Security Council expressed their full support of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and underlined the need for strict compliance with resolution 2202 (2015), which endorsed the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements,” aimed at ending the violence in eastern regions of Ukraine.

“The members of the Security Council called for an immediate return to a ceasefire regime,” the statement concluded.

Earlier in the day, the humanitarian community and the Humanitarian Coordinator in the country also expressed grave concern by the “drastic deterioration” of the security situation in eastern Ukraine and its humanitarian consequences....

Peace processes begin with meetings and policy. Does anyone realize the length of time and diplomatic effort that has to be spent to bring about a peace process between major global powers? The last time that occurred it was when the United Nations was organized. The first attempt at the UN failed with President Wilson. The followers of the Ultra White can't be this naive.

We are back to "Their Master's Voice." I thought that died with "W."

God speaks in many ways. This time the word genocide seems to matter.

President Abbas needs to do more than call for peace talks, he needs to act to end the genocide.

This is not the only private property Israel has taken. Israel has destroyed innumerable olive groves and cast the people into poverty. There is a great deal of productive and/or private land that belongs to Palestine taken by Israel.

President Abbas needs to stop seeing fault in his people, including Hamas. They did not do this to themselves. When land is under attack does a country not defend it? No one approves of Hamas methods, but, they are still there in Gaza. The Palestine people know what works for them and they are difficult to deal with because surrender for the sake of peace with an ever shrinking homeland is not realistic. Palestine, the country with land, has to exist.

When Israel arrives to destroy more olive groves or move boundaries, it is not only the Palestinians that are demonstrating, there are many Israel citizens there as well. Palestinians are not alone in their desire for a peace and Palestinian homeland; there are many Israeli citizens that want the same thing.

We have lost a beautiful American girl in this struggle. Palestine is not alone.

February 1, 2017
By William Booth and Ruth Eglash

Thousands of Israeli police and military forces (click here) climbed a windy hill on Wednesday with plans to finally demolish a hardscrabble Israeli settlement that the supreme court has deemed illegal because it was built on privately owned Palestinian land.

The demolition of Amona and the eviction of its 40 families has been more than a decade in the making. By the afternoon, Israeli security forces seemed to be heading towards a violent showdown with residents, hundreds of their youthful supporters and right-wing politicians....

Power of the people. These are potential votes. I suggest their issues be known and brought by the Democrats.

You can wager real money on the fact Trump will if no one else will. However, he has gone so wrong within racism and bigotry there is no coming back. If the visit went forward he would be pitting police against Americans and Harley's reputation would be over!

Get on board with this!

Anyone for a Honda?

They have to be fought where it matters and with Plutocrats it is their stock prices and value of their product.

February 1, 2017
By Jason Silverstein

Talk about a vicious cycle. (click here)

The Harley-Davidson factory in Milwaukee has canceled a scheduled visit from President Trump — for fear of planning protests, according to a report.

Trump planned to visit the motorcycle factory on Thursday, and to sign unspecified executive orders there related to American manufacturing. His team made no public announcement about the visit, but White House staffers were already in Milwaukee setting it up.

But an administration official told CNN Tuesday the visit was canceled because the company felt “uncomfortable” about planned protests over Trump’s executive order on travel bans....